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U.S. offense keeps rolling in easy win over Czech Republic

Sochi Olympics Ice Hockey Men

USA forward Zach Parise (9) celebrates his goal against the Czech Republic with teammates Phil Kessel (81) and USA defenseman Ryan Suter during the second period of men’s quarterfinal hockey game in Shayba Arena at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Matt Slocum

On a day filled with dramatic matchups, the Americans continued to assert themselves as a major gold medal contender by cleanly beating the Czech Republic 5-2.

One of the things that has set the Americans apart from some of the other major contenders in this tournament is the ability to adapt to the big ice and thrive offensively. That’s something that almost every forward on this team has done, evidenced by today’s game where five different forwards -- James van Riemsdyk, Dustin Brown, David Backes, Zach Parise, and Phil Kessel -- found the back of the net for the United States.

That brings the number of Americans that have scored in this tournament to 12. This also was the third time in four games the U.S. scored at least five goals.

VIDEO: Watch Backes’ last-second goal from first period

Czech Republic goaltender Ondrej Pavelec faced an uphill battle against the Americans and he wasn’t up to the task today, stopping just eight of 12 shots before he was yanked midway through the second period.

His performance throughout this tournament will likely make the Czechs think back to the good old days when Dominik Hasek and Tomas Vokoun made goaltending one of the nation’s strengths. Perhaps if they had that caliber of netminding today, things might have gone differently -- they played well for the most part, and got a pair of goals from Ales Hemsky that would have helped make a contest out of this match under better circumstances.

VIDEO: Brown gives U.S. 2-1 win

Instead the Czech Republic has lost in the quarterfinals for the second straight Winter Games. Its last link to the 1998 gold medal winning team, Jaromir Jagr, has likely played in his last Olympic contest.

This Czech team, which made numerous questionable coaching and roster selection decisions, will be left hoping that its young players will be able to take over after the old guard couldn’t get the job done in its last hurrah.

Meanwhile the Americans, filled with players in their prime, look onward and upwards.

Follow @RyanDadoun